West Sussex Fire Brigade is just one of thirteen brigades in the United Kingdom that provide and maintain an international search and rescue team.

The team forms part of the United Kingdom Fire Services Search & Rescue Team (UKFSSRT) and is registered with the Department for International Development (DFID) of the UK Government to provide personnel and equipment for deployment to overseas disasters and emergencies.

UKFSSRT is also registered with the United Nations as a search & rescue unit, and will respond immediately to calls for assistance either from the UK Government or the United Nations.

The team is selected from firefighters and fire officers serving with the Brigade, all of whom are volunteers.

The team members have a diverse range of skills as well as overseas experience of disaster situations and the many and varied operational call-outs within the county of West Sussex.

This section of our website is intended to provide information for other emergency service personnel as well as giving the public an insight into a part of the Fire Service that not many know exist.